2004 Constitution: After President Lagos arranged for a cross-party agreement, a democratic constitution came into force.

1980 Constitution: Ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet and his former supporters formed the opposition parties and blocked reforms of the 1980 constitution. That constitution gave the armed forces a high degree of autonomy and the right-wing opposition a de facto majority in the Senate. Also, the constitutional tribunal that was installed by the outgoing military regime retained its power to overturn legislation.

History and News

March 2006: Term of the last unelected Senators expires.

2004: Draft of a new Constitution adopted by.

2002: Supreme court rules that senile dementia makes Pinochet unfit for trial; this forces him to resign his Senate seat.

March 2000: Ricardo Lagos becomes President.

March 1998: Constitutional term of Pinochet as commander of the army is over after he is arrested in London on human-rights abuse charges.

1980: New Constitution that is democratic in name, but undemocratic in its intent to perpetuate the armed forces' political power. Of nine non-elected Senators, four were former military and police commanders. Also, Pinochet received a Senate seat for life. Elected Presidents were deprived of their power to dismiss the highest military and police commanders.